Chapter 02 | Lumenale, The City Of Dreams

Lumenale was always a bustling city—the city of dreams, as everyone called it. The capital of Solvaris, it stood as a gleaming beacon of progress.

Solvaris was the largest country in the world, home to the most advanced technology ever developed and was also the wielder of the Hollow Sovereign. The mask said to give the power of the Sovereign to whoever wielded it. The very place where the Sovereign ascended beyond mortal life had been marked as its capital.

But for all its glory, Solvaris was a nation of contrast.

Despite its advancements, it suffered one of the world's highest poverty rates. Entire districts, like the South and West, were riddled with crime, hunger, and desperation.

"Pass?"The guard at the city's gate barked the word more than asked it. He stood tall. broad-shouldered, stoic, and intimidating.

Simon reached into his pocket and pulled out a dust-covered ID pass. He hadn't used it in years—not since he last left the South District.

"You were definitely hired for the job," Simon said, chuckling awkwardly as he handed it over.

The guard barely blinked.

"Hm. You may pass."

With a groan of shifting gears, the massive brown gates began to open."Creeeeeeaaaakk…"The sound echoed like the groan of some ancient beast.

Simon stepped forward, shielding his eyes.

The light hit him like a punch. Neon signs, glowing rails, bright screens. It was a complete sensory overload. Compared to the grim streets of the South District, Lumenale might as well have been another planet.

"Thanks," he said to the guard on his way through, but the man didn't respond.

Skyscrapers surrounded him—dozens, maybe hundreds, each one stretching high enough to touch the sky. In the center of them all stood the Hollowsphere, a massive spire of black-and-silver architecture that seemed to pulse with energy.

The place where the Sovereign had left humanity behind.

Simon tried to take it all in, but every step brought another distraction. He bumped into strangers, nearly tripped on stairs, dodged hovering drones.

"Hey you! Wanna buy some clothes?!" a vendor yelled.

"Uh...no thanks!" Simon said quickly, weaving away to avoid another interaction.

Then he felt it. A presence.

A man emerged from the crowd, walking in the opposite direction. As he passed Simon, he whispered:

"Are you the new vessel? I've been expecting you, Simon."

Simon's breath caught in his throat. He spun around.But the man was gone.

Panic surged through him."They already know... Shit. I'm screwed."

He took off running, eyes locked on the Hollowsphere ahead.

As he reached the entrance, his foot caught something.CRACK!His head slammed into the concrete floor.

Blood pooled beneath him.

"Quite the introduction, Simon."

The voice echoed from above.

Simon weakly lifted his head. Standing over him was a man in a sharp white-and-blue suit, wearing a strange mask that covered most of his face.

"W…who are y-"

Before he could finish, darkness swallowed him whole.

"Bring him into the facility."

Two men in silvery knight-like armor lifted Simon's unconscious body, carrying him inside the tower. The suited man followed close behind.

They laid Simon on a cold, hospital-style bed beneath fluorescent lights.

"Is the mask ready?" the suited man asked.

A deep, resonant voice boomed from the bedside table."I AM READY."

The mask spoke. Its surface glowed faintly with runes.

"Then let's prepare the vessel."

The man picked up a syringe labeled ADRENALINE. He wiped the tip clean, then jabbed it into Simon's neck.

"3… 2… 1…"

He slammed the plunger down.

Simon's eyes shot open."AHHHHHH!"

His scream echoed through the chamber, a sound of pain and something far deeper—transformation.

The suited man grabbed the mask and pressed it over Simon's face.

Simon thrashed, attempting to lunge from the bed, but the armored men held him down. His body convulsed violently for thirty seconds before falling limp.

Still.

Silent.

Then the suited man stepped back and nodded.

"It's complete."